Hathaway retirement provides St. Lawrence County with opportunity

CANTON  The closing of the St. Lawrence County Certified Home Health Agency and the subsequent retirement of Public Health Director Susan J. Hathaway could give the county an opportunity for restructuring.

Anytime somebody leaves, were going to take a look at reorganizing the department, Legislative Chairman Jonathan S. Putney, D-Waddington, said. Im not sure if thats possible or not, but well take a look.

Ms. Hathaway, who acknowledged the last year was stressful with the countys decision to close the home health service, will retire Aug. 30.

Its been a rough few years with many programs being cut, she said. Its a time of a lot of change for Public Health and its hard for people who have worked here, sometimes for 35 years. Theres more change ahead. I am of retirement age and its just time.

Ms. Hathaway said she plans to move to Asheville, N.C.

Last year, the county turned down an $80,000 offer to sell the home health service, listened to staff pleas to rebuild the agency, then turned around and closed it  eventually laying off more than 30 employees  because it did not think it could compete with private providers.

When youve had a career developing Public Health, to dismantle it as Sue had to do was probably the last straw. I think it took a significant toll on her, said Legislator Alex A. MacKinnon, R-Fowler. I have nothing but admiration and respect for Sue Hathaway. She did what had to be done and what had to be done was not particularly pleasant.

She certainly presided over a difficult time in Public Health, she said. I think she was going to face a lot of changes. She talked about the stress and I understand that.

Legislators have not yet approached how to fill the void that will be left when Ms. Hathaway leaves.

Certainly there will be changes, because youre dealing with a smaller department, Mrs. Brothers said. We know we have to do a search.

The county has struggled in recent years to keep a permanent public health director.

Before Ms. Hathaways appointment in 2009, the department had been without a permanent director since Kathryn S. Abernethy resigned in 2005. Ms. Abernethy was the first permanent director since Mark C. Stoddart left in 2001.

Public Health has been a constant problem as far as finding leadership, Mr. MacKinnon said. It may take some time to find a replacement.

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